..Previous studies on inhaled steroid and long-acting beta2-agonist combination products may not be representative for the asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients in family practice...

Exacerbations and associated healthcare cost in patients with COPD in general practice

..We explored the prevailing views of pulmonologists regarding referral and once-only consultation in asthma and COPD, and compared these views with recently published transmural referral guidelines for GPs and pulmonologists...

Current clinical guideline definitions of airflow obstruction and COPD overdiagnosis in primary care

..The objective of our study was to explore the existence/co-existence of factors - as per American Thoracic Society (ATS)/European Respiratory Society (ERS) standards - for staging patients in a primary care COPD population...

An expert-supported monitoring system for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in general practice: results of a cluster randomised controlled trial

Lisette van den BemtDepartment of Primary and Community Care, Centre for Family Medicine, Geriatric Care and Public Health, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The NetherlandsMed J Aust 191:249-54. 2009

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Variation in spirometry utilization between trained general practitioners in practices equipped with a spirometer

..Although one out of three general practitioners (GPs) carries out spirometry, the diagnostic interpretation of spirometric test results appears to be a common barrier for GPs towards its routine application...

Patterns of inflammation and the use of reversibility testing in smokers with airway complaints

..000). Use of this tailored education program improved the GP-patient interaction within the context of a clinically effective asthma self-management program. Findings from this study may be applicable to other chronic conditions as well...

..Patient preference did not differ. TEXAS is a valid tool to assess COPD exacerbation rates in prospective clinical studies. Using different tools to record exacerbations strongly affects exacerbation occurrence rates...

Accuracy and precision of desktop spirometers in general practices

Tjard R J SchermerCOPD and Asthma Research and Development Unit, Department of Primary and Community Care, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The NetherlandsRespiration 83:344-52. 2012

..The use of invalid spirometry equipment may have consequences on disease diagnosis and management of patients...

..Our aim is to identify, summarize and compare all published prognostic COPD indices, and to discuss their performance, usefulness and implementation in daily practice...

Effects of written action plan adherence on COPD exacerbation recovery

Erik W M A BischoffDepartment of Primary and Community Care, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The NetherlandsThorax 66:26-31. 2011

..The aims of this study were to assess the effects of adherence to a written action plan on exacerbation recovery time and unscheduled healthcare utilisation and to explore factors associated with action plan adherence...